EP2755093A2 - Stress-Relief Elastic Structure of Hairspring Collet - Google Patents
Stress-Relief Elastic Structure of Hairspring Collet Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2755093A2 EP2755093A2 EP14151118.8A EP14151118A EP2755093A2 EP 2755093 A2 EP2755093 A2 EP 2755093A2 EP 14151118 A EP14151118 A EP 14151118A EP 2755093 A2 EP2755093 A2 EP 2755093A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- hairspring
- collet
- engagement
- portions
- staff
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 229910052710 silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 14
- 239000010703 silicon Substances 0.000 claims description 14
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims description 10
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000010453 quartz Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N silicon dioxide Inorganic materials O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 5
- XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicon Chemical compound [Si] XUIMIQQOPSSXEZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 12
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 10
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 7
- 238000004458 analytical method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000005489 elastic deformation Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000052 comparative effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000002474 experimental method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000006872 improvement Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004364 calculation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005094 computer simulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005336 cracking Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007812 deficiency Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009826 distribution Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003292 glue Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004088 simulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G04—HOROLOGY
- G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
- G04B17/00—Mechanisms for stabilising frequency
- G04B17/32—Component parts or constructional details, e.g. collet, stud, virole or piton
- G04B17/34—Component parts or constructional details, e.g. collet, stud, virole or piton for fastening the hairspring onto the balance
- G04B17/345—Details of the spiral roll
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a collet of a hairspring, more particularly to a collet designed to minimize stress induced during the assembly process with the balance staff to minimise failure fracture.
- a paramount one of the component that governs the movement is the hairspring, which it is assembled with the balance staff and the stud to form part of the oscillating system.
- micro-fabricated hairsprings which are often formed from brittle materials like silicon or quartz and having a relative low strength, increases the likelihood of failure by way of fracture.
- a flexible structure may be incorporated.
- the flexible structure may provide a degree of elastic deformation in order to release or reduce a portion of the stress induced.
- the present invention provides a hairspring collet for a hairspring for interference engagement and an interference fit with the cylindrical outer surface of the staff of a balance wheel for a timepiece movement
- said hairspring collet portion comprising a plurality of circumferentially extending elastically deformable interconnected arm portions, the arm portions forming an annulus having a central axis and providing an aperture therebetween, wherein each arm portion including a curved concave engagement portion for engagement with the outer surface of a staff of a balance wheel, wherein each engagement portion has substantially the same radius of curvature as each other and are equally spaced from said central axis at a first distance and wherein said first distance is less than the radius of the staff of the balance wheel; said engagement portions have a radius of curvature such that upon deformation of the arm portions and engagement with the outer surface of said staff the engagement portions substantially conform with the outer surface of said staff and an interference fit is formed therebetween, wherein stress induced from said interference fit is transferred and distributed along the engagement portions and distributed within the
- Stress induced from said interference fit is preferably distributed along the engagement portions and transferred to the adjacent arm portions and the size and dimensions of the arm portions and the engagement portions are such that stress distributed within the arm portions is lower that the failure strength of the material from which the collet is formed.
- the collet is formed as a unity construct by said arm portions.
- a hairspring inner coil is attached to the collet adjacent a juncture of two arm portions.
- the hairspring is preferably formed with the collet as a unitary construct.
- each elastically deformable interconnected arm portion is of equal arm width in the radial direction.
- the hairspring collet is formed from a brittle material including silicon, quartz or the like.
- the hairspring collet may further comprise a temperature compensation layer on the surface of the collet for time compensation due to changes in temperature.
- a temperature compensation layer is an addition layer of oxide.
- the collet is preferably formed from micro-fabrication.
- the hairspring is designed specifically according to specific frequency requisite of a timepiece.
- the present invention provides a hairspring and hairspring collet assembly for a timepiece comprising a hairspring and a hairspring collet according to the first aspect.
- the collet is formed as a unity construct by said arm portions.
- the hairspring inner coil is attached to the collet adjacent a juncture of two arm portions, and preferably the hairspring is formed with the collet as a unitary construct.
- the hairspring and hairspring collet assembly is preferably formed from a brittle material including silicon, quartz or the like.
- the hairspring and hairspring collet assembly may further comprise a temperature compensation layer on the surface of the hairspring and hairspring collet for time compensation due to changes in temperature.
- a temperature compensation layer is an addition layer of oxide.
- the hairspring and hairspring collet assembly is formed from microfabrication.
- the hairspring is preferably designed specifically according to specific frequency requisite of a timepiece.
- the present invention provides an engagement structure of a timepiece component for engagement with the cylindrical surface of a further timepiece component; said engagement structure comprising a plurality of circumferentially extending elastically deformable interconnected arm portions, the arm portions forming an annulus having a central axis and providing an aperture therebetween, wherein each arm portion including a curved concave engagement portion for engagement with the cylindrical surface of a further timepiece component, wherein each engagement portion has substantially same radius of curvature as each other and are equally spaced from said central axis at a first distance and wherein said first distance is less than the radius of the cylindrical surface; said engagement portions have a radius of curvature such that upon deformation of the arm portions and engagement with the cylindrical surface the engagement portions substantially conform with the outer surface of said cylindrical surface and an interference fit is formed therebetween, wherein stress induced from said interference fit is transferred and distributed along the engagement portions and distributed within the arm portions adjacent the engagement portions; and wherein the interference fit of the engagement portions with the cylindrical surface substantially prevents relative movement between the
- the timepiece component may be an hour hand, minute hand, and the second hand or the like. It is an objective of this invention to solve the stress issue in assembling the hairspring with the balance staff by proposing a stress-relief elastic structure for the collet that could minimize the pressure acted by the balance staff at the collet contact zone.
- FIG. 1 there is schematically depicted a conventional hairspring collet according to the Prior Art.
- the component comprises a collet 101 attached with the hairspring inner coil 102 at one of the junctions 105.
- a balance staff represented by the dotted line
- the balance staff extend and fit in, upon bending and deformation of the elastic arms 104 adjacent the balance staff.
- the elastic arms 104 are constructed having generally a straight beam shape, contact with the balance staff in a very small contact region 106 (point contact), results in a very large, concentrated stress (represented by the 3 arrows) that may fracture and break the collet.
- FIG. 2a depicts a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a hairspring 202 and collet 200 assemby according to the present invention.
- the collet 200 of the stress-relief elastic structure which reduces localised stresses in order to reduce the likelihood of fracture as associated with conventional hairspring collets.
- the body of the hairspring and collet 200 comprises a collet portion 201 having three elastic arm portions 204 located adjacent an aperture 203 providing the balance staff zone; and a hairspring 202 (extending radically outward) is adjoined at one of the elastic arm connection junctions 205.
- Each elastic arm 204 is provided with specific curved geometry so as to provide preferential bending deformation, and also having a "cup" portion 206, which provides for reduction of localised stresses.
- the "cup" portion 206 is adapted to match the balance staff circumference (represented by the dotted line) to provide a close-fitting, enlarged contact surface.
- FIG. 3a and 3b depict the working mechanism of the "cup" portion 306 of the collet 302 during engagement with a staff 308, whereby the stress-relief function as provided by the present invention.
- FIG. 3a there is shown an elastic arm of a collet 302 in accordance with the present invention, prior to commencement of the assembly process in an original position, whereby the collet is press-fitted into the staff 308.
- the "cup” portion 306 of the collet 302 is designed such that at the middle section of the arm, the interference fit 307 is maintained at a constant value along the balance staff 308 circumference (represented by the dotted line).
- the elastic arm which is pushed by the balance staff 308, deforms radically outwardly from outward pushing force represented by the radially outwardly extending arrows until it extends from the balance staff domain.
- each point at the "cup” contact surface is displaced the same distance to reach onto the balance staff 308 surface.
- the "cup" portion 306 upon completion of the press-fit process and after deformation, is engaged with the balance staff 308 surface to produce an increased contact area. As the contact force is more evenly distributed along this surface, a lower stress is thus achieved.
- FIG. 4a and 4b A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 4a and 4b , whereby which the hairspring collet 401 has 4 elastic arms distributed in an equally spaced apart arrangement.
- the configuration of the present embodiment is similar in structure as the embodiment as described in reference to FIG. 2a and 2b , whereby the hairspring assembly 400 is composed of a collet 401 and a hairspring 402 extending outwardly.
- the collet 401 is formed of four elastic arms 404, which are provided with specific predetermined curvature in order to both minimise the stress induced as represented by the radially extending arrows from engagement with a staff surface 408 and provide elastic deformation, and which are connected to each other at junctions 405.
- a "cup" structure portion 406 is designed such that it may be closely contact with the balance staff that is located at aperture 403 at the centre open zone
- FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of a collet 500 according to the present invention, with the collet 500 having five "cup" structure elastic arms 504.
- the collet body 501 is joined with a hairspring inner coil 502, wherein the collet body 501 is formed from five "cup" portions 506 and elastic arms 504 therebetween, and the elastic arms 504 are connected at junctions 505.
- the configuration of the present embodiment is similar in structure as the embodiment as described in reference to FIG. 2a and 2b , having a collet 500 and a hairspring 502 extending outwardly.
- the balance staff 508 is inserted in the aperture 503 proving an open zone such that the hairspring collet 500 contacts with the staff at "cup" portions 506, similarly as described with reference to the first and second embodiments of the invention above, to both minimise the stress induced as represented by the radially extending arrows from engagement with a staff surface 508 and provide elastic deformation.
- the collets, 200, 401, 500 in relation to the above embodiments as described in Figs. 2a - Fig. 5 are preferably formed by microfabrication and formed from silicon.
- the collets 200, 401, 500 and hairsprings 202, 402, 502 comprising a temperature compensation layer on the surface for time compensation due to changes in temperature.
- Such a temperature compensation layer is an addition layer of oxide.
- the hairsprings 202, 402, 502 are designed specifically according to specific frequency requisite of a timepiece.
- a comparison between a conventional silicon collet 600 and a silicon collet 610 according to the present invention is provided utilising numerical stress analysis techniques.
- FIG. 6(a) and FIG 6(b) show the principal stress (tensile) induced in a collet according to the prior art 600 and a collet 610 according to the present invention respectively
- FIG. 6(c) and FIG. 6(d) shown the principal stress (compressive) induced in a collet according to the prior art 600 and a collet 610 according to the present invention respectively.
- the collet 600 suffered from a highly concentrated compressive stress (principle stress 3) of approximately 590MPa at each elastic arm contact region 602 and also a highly concentrated tensile stress (principle stress 1) of approximately 500MPa at the adjacent side 604.
- a highly concentrated compressive stress principle stress 3
- a highly concentrated tensile stress principle stress 1
- silicon has an ultimate tensile strength of approximately 7GPa, it has a high tendency to cleave along crystallographic planes and it is found that a stress of over 300MPa is likely to cause the collet to fracture and fail.
- the stress-relieved elastic structure of the collet model of a collet 610 according to the present invention as shown in FIG 6.(b) and FIG. 6(d) resulted in a substantially lower compressive stress (principle stress 3) of approximately 220MPa at each elastic arm contact region 612 and a tensile stress (principle stress 1) of approximately 200MPa at the adjacent side 614.at the 3 cup contact regions and as such, the design as depicted should be safe having relatively low localised stresses.
- a collet according to the present invention shows a significant reduction stress (60%-70%) while maintaining sufficient gripping force when mounted with a balance staff, demonstrating a significant improvement over the prior art.
- FIG. 7 shows photographic representations of the results the details of the experiment done and also the assembled collets and staffs.
- FIG. 7(a) there is shown a sample of hairsprings 700 including a collet 702 in accordance with the present invention, which are formed from silicon.
- the hairsprings 700 are formed by micro-fabrication.
- FIG 7 (b) depicts a hairspring 700 of Fig 7 (a) in accordance with the present invention being assembled with a balance staff 710 and hence balance wheel 712. After the press-fit, the assembled samples are optically checked and examined by using a coordinate measuring machine (CMM).
- CCM coordinate measuring machine
- FIG. 7(c) there is shown a photograph of a conventional collet 720 standard in the art taken utilising CMM.
- the conventional collet has experienced failure due to a high concentrated stress at the point contact regions 722, which cracked immediately.
- collets 730, 740 as shown in FIG. 7(d) and FIG. 7(e) as formed in accordance with the present invention which have been press fitted to a balance staff 750, 760.
- those of the present invention 730, 740 are well fitted onto each balance staff 750, 760, and no evidence of cracking or fracture exists.
- One of the effective directions to tackle it is to improve the contact interface between the balance staff and the collet.
- the press-fit force induced by the balance staff could be shared out evenly over the entire contact zone & also the region nearby, and thus the stress is reduced.
- a design according to the present invention will lower the stress efficiently with minimum deformation on the collet, which requires appropriate estimation and calculation on the mechanism of force and deformation.
- the hairspring collet according to the present invention reduces the pressure induced in the hairspring-balance staff assembly process, thus increasing the production yield rate.
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Micromachines (AREA)
- Adornments (AREA)
- Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to a collet of a hairspring, more particularly to a collet designed to minimize stress induced during the assembly process with the balance staff to minimise failure fracture.
- In mechanical timepieces, a paramount one of the component that governs the movement is the hairspring, which it is assembled with the balance staff and the stud to form part of the oscillating system.
- For high accuracy time estimation, recent technology utilized the technique of micro-fabrication to manufacture high quality hairsprings.
- However, the fragility of such micro-fabricated hairsprings, which are often formed from brittle materials like silicon or quartz and having a relative low strength, increases the likelihood of failure by way of fracture.
- During assembly, when a hairspring is press-fitted onto a balance staff, extreme high contact pressure induced in the contact region breaks the collet or renders the collet in a state of stress which may result in fatigue failure.
- In order to minimize stress from press-fitting of the hairspring collet, a flexible structure may be incorporated. When a collet is fitted onto the balance staff, the flexible structure may provide a degree of elastic deformation in order to release or reduce a portion of the stress induced.
- However, the parameters of such hairspring design in a timepiece when using micro-fabrication techniques utilising such brittle materials, dictate difficulties in providing a suitable timepiece from functional and structural standpoints:
- (i) if a collet is sufficiently tight so as to suitably engage with the staff, the resultant stress in the collet may induce fracture during assembly or usage, and
- (ii) alternatively, if the collet allows for sufficient deformation to relieve the stress during assembly and usage, there may be insufficient frictional force to adequately secure the hairspring so as to resist rotational torque in use, the hairspring may not provide the functional requirements for a timepiece movement.
- In respect of fracture issues associated with a hairspring collet, within the literature some have sought to reduce the induced stress by designing the collet having specific geometries. For example, US Patent no.
US 7,758,237 discloses a collet designed having elastic arms, wherein the arm width is varied along different positions with a view to providing improved stress distribution. - Others, such as in US Patent No.
US 7,926,355 disclose a collet that has an alternating arrangement of a rigid area and an elastic area such to optimize the gripping force against the press-fit stress. - Other manners within the literature to fix a collet to a staff and reduce the likelihood of fracture include providing a loose fit collet, whereby the assembly process is performed by using some adhesives to glue the components individually
- Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a collet for a hairspring that overcomes or at least ameliorates at least some of the deficiencies as associated with those of the prior art.
- In a first aspect, the present invention provides a hairspring collet for a hairspring for interference engagement and an interference fit with the cylindrical outer surface of the staff of a balance wheel for a timepiece movement, said hairspring collet portion comprising a plurality of circumferentially extending elastically deformable interconnected arm portions, the arm portions forming an annulus having a central axis and providing an aperture therebetween, wherein each arm portion including a curved concave engagement portion for engagement with the outer surface of a staff of a balance wheel, wherein each engagement portion has substantially the same radius of curvature as each other and are equally spaced from said central axis at a first distance and wherein said first distance is less than the radius of the staff of the balance wheel; said engagement portions have a radius of curvature such that upon deformation of the arm portions and engagement with the outer surface of said staff the engagement portions substantially conform with the outer surface of said staff and an interference fit is formed therebetween, wherein stress induced from said interference fit is transferred and distributed along the engagement portions and distributed within the arm portions adjacent the engagement portions; and wherein the interference fit of the engagement portions with the staff substantially prevents relative movement between the hairspring collet and the staff of the balance wheel upon application of load from a hairspring in use in a timepiece movement.
- Stress induced from said interference fit is preferably distributed along the engagement portions and transferred to the adjacent arm portions and the size and dimensions of the arm portions and the engagement portions are such that stress distributed within the arm portions is lower that the failure strength of the material from which the collet is formed.
- Preferably the collet is formed as a unity construct by said arm portions.
- Preferably a hairspring inner coil is attached to the collet adjacent a juncture of two arm portions.
- The hairspring is preferably formed with the collet as a unitary construct.
- Preferably, each elastically deformable interconnected arm portion is of equal arm width in the radial direction.
- Preferably, the hairspring collet is formed from a brittle material including silicon, quartz or the like.
- The hairspring collet may further comprise a temperature compensation layer on the surface of the collet for time compensation due to changes in temperature. Preferably the temperature compensation layer is an addition layer of oxide.
- The collet is preferably formed from micro-fabrication.
- Preferably the hairspring is designed specifically according to specific frequency requisite of a timepiece.
- In a second aspect, the present invention provides a hairspring and hairspring collet assembly for a timepiece comprising a hairspring and a hairspring collet according to the first aspect.
- Preferably, the collet is formed as a unity construct by said arm portions.
- Preferably the hairspring inner coil is attached to the collet adjacent a juncture of two arm portions, and preferably the hairspring is formed with the collet as a unitary construct.
- The hairspring and hairspring collet assembly is preferably formed from a brittle material including silicon, quartz or the like.
- The hairspring and hairspring collet assembly may further comprise a temperature compensation layer on the surface of the hairspring and hairspring collet for time compensation due to changes in temperature. Preferably the temperature compensation layer is an addition layer of oxide.
- Preferably the hairspring and hairspring collet assembly is formed from microfabrication.
- The hairspring is preferably designed specifically according to specific frequency requisite of a timepiece.
- In a third aspect, the present invention provides an engagement structure of a timepiece component for engagement with the cylindrical surface of a further timepiece component; said engagement structure comprising a plurality of circumferentially extending elastically deformable interconnected arm portions, the arm portions forming an annulus having a central axis and providing an aperture therebetween, wherein each arm portion including a curved concave engagement portion for engagement with the cylindrical surface of a further timepiece component, wherein each engagement portion has substantially same radius of curvature as each other and are equally spaced from said central axis at a first distance and wherein said first distance is less than the radius of the cylindrical surface; said engagement portions have a radius of curvature such that upon deformation of the arm portions and engagement with the cylindrical surface the engagement portions substantially conform with the outer surface of said cylindrical surface and an interference fit is formed therebetween, wherein stress induced from said interference fit is transferred and distributed along the engagement portions and distributed within the arm portions adjacent the engagement portions; and wherein the interference fit of the engagement portions with the cylindrical surface substantially prevents relative movement between the timepiece component and the further timepiece component in use in a timepiece movement.
- The timepiece component may be an hour hand, minute hand, and the second hand or the like. It is an objective of this invention to solve the stress issue in assembling the hairspring with the balance staff by proposing a stress-relief elastic structure for the collet that could minimize the pressure acted by the balance staff at the collet contact zone.
- Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained in further detail below by way of examples and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-
-
FIG. 1 shows a conventional hairspring collet of the Prior Art having an elastic structure design; -
FIG. 2a and 2b show a first embodiment of a collet according to the present invention; -
FIG. 3a and 3b depict an enlarged portion of a collet according to the present invention; -
FIG. 4a and 4b show a second embodiment a collet according to the present invention; -
FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of a collet according to the present invention; -
FIG. 6a - 6d depicts numerical computational stress analysis of a silicon collet according to the present invention in comparison to a collet according to the prior art; and -
FIG. 7a - 7e depict details of experimental analysis of a collet in accordance with the present invention in comparison with collets of the prior art, when viewed by optical CMM. - Referring to
FIG. 1 , there is schematically depicted a conventional hairspring collet according to the Prior Art. As shown, the component comprises acollet 101 attached with the hairspringinner coil 102 at one of thejunctions 105. At the collet centre, there is anopen region 103 for a balance staff (represented by the dotted line) extend and fit in, upon bending and deformation of theelastic arms 104 adjacent the balance staff. - As the
elastic arms 104 are constructed having generally a straight beam shape, contact with the balance staff in a very small contact region 106 (point contact), results in a very large, concentrated stress (represented by the 3 arrows) that may fracture and break the collet. -
FIG. 2a depicts a schematic representation of a first embodiment of ahairspring 202 andcollet 200 assemby according to the present invention. Thecollet 200 of the stress-relief elastic structure, which reduces localised stresses in order to reduce the likelihood of fracture as associated with conventional hairspring collets. - As shown, the body of the hairspring and
collet 200 comprises acollet portion 201 having threeelastic arm portions 204 located adjacent anaperture 203 providing the balance staff zone; and a hairspring 202 (extending radically outward) is adjoined at one of the elasticarm connection junctions 205. - Each
elastic arm 204 is provided with specific curved geometry so as to provide preferential bending deformation, and also having a "cup"portion 206, which provides for reduction of localised stresses. - As shown in the enlarged view 2b of one of the contact regions, it is shown that the "cup"
portion 206 is adapted to match the balance staff circumference (represented by the dotted line) to provide a close-fitting, enlarged contact surface. - Thus, the stress induced due to the press-fitting process of applying the
collet 201 to the staff (represented by the arrows) is significant as contact area is one of the important factors which affect the resultant stresses. -
FIG. 3a and 3b depict the working mechanism of the "cup"portion 306 of thecollet 302 during engagement with astaff 308, whereby the stress-relief function as provided by the present invention. - In
FIG. 3a there is shown an elastic arm of acollet 302 in accordance with the present invention, prior to commencement of the assembly process in an original position, whereby the collet is press-fitted into thestaff 308. - The "cup"
portion 306 of thecollet 302 is designed such that at the middle section of the arm, theinterference fit 307 is maintained at a constant value along thebalance staff 308 circumference (represented by the dotted line). - When the press-fitting commences, the elastic arm, which is pushed by the
balance staff 308, deforms radically outwardly from outward pushing force represented by the radially outwardly extending arrows until it extends from the balance staff domain. - During deformation, each point at the "cup" contact surface is displaced the same distance to reach onto the
balance staff 308 surface. As shown inFIG 3b , the "cup"portion 306, upon completion of the press-fit process and after deformation, is engaged with thebalance staff 308 surface to produce an increased contact area. As the contact force is more evenly distributed along this surface, a lower stress is thus achieved. - A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in
FIG. 4a and 4b , whereby which thehairspring collet 401 has 4 elastic arms distributed in an equally spaced apart arrangement. The configuration of the present embodiment is similar in structure as the embodiment as described in reference toFIG. 2a and 2b , whereby thehairspring assembly 400 is composed of acollet 401 and ahairspring 402 extending outwardly. - The
collet 401 is formed of fourelastic arms 404, which are provided with specific predetermined curvature in order to both minimise the stress induced as represented by the radially extending arrows from engagement with astaff surface 408 and provide elastic deformation, and which are connected to each other atjunctions 405. - For each arm, a "cup"
structure portion 406 is designed such that it may be closely contact with the balance staff that is located ataperture 403 at the centre open zone -
FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of acollet 500 according to the present invention, with thecollet 500 having five "cup" structureelastic arms 504. - The
collet body 501 is joined with a hairspringinner coil 502, wherein thecollet body 501 is formed from five "cup"portions 506 andelastic arms 504 therebetween, and theelastic arms 504 are connected atjunctions 505. The configuration of the present embodiment is similar in structure as the embodiment as described in reference toFIG. 2a and 2b , having acollet 500 and ahairspring 502 extending outwardly. - During timepiece assembly, the
balance staff 508 is inserted in theaperture 503 proving an open zone such that thehairspring collet 500 contacts with the staff at "cup"portions 506, similarly as described with reference to the first and second embodiments of the invention above, to both minimise the stress induced as represented by the radially extending arrows from engagement with astaff surface 508 and provide elastic deformation. - The collets, 200, 401, 500 in relation to the above embodiments as described in
Figs. 2a - Fig. 5 are preferably formed by microfabrication and formed from silicon. Thecollets hairsprings - As the hairspring and collet assemblies are used for regulation of a timepiece, the
hairsprings - Referring to
FIG 6.(a) - 6(d) , a comparison between aconventional silicon collet 600 and asilicon collet 610 according to the present invention is provided utilising numerical stress analysis techniques. - In the model as used, the following parameters were utilised:
- STAFF: Steel, Radius - 0.25mm, Height 0.1 mm, Modulus of Elasticity 200GPa
- COLLET: Silicon, Arm width 0.035mm, Radius before deformation 0.245mm, height 0.1 mm, Length of arc for contact with staff - 0.1 mm
-
FIG. 6(a) and FIG 6(b) show the principal stress (tensile) induced in a collet according to theprior art 600 and acollet 610 according to the present invention respectively, andFIG. 6(c) and FIG. 6(d) shown the principal stress (compressive) induced in a collet according to theprior art 600 and acollet 610 according to the present invention respectively. - Computer simulation has been provided in order to model the behaviour of collets according to the
prior art 600 andcollets 610 of the present invention when fitting to a balance staff. - The resultant principle stress profiles of a silicon collet according to the
prior art 600 andcollets 610 to the present invention are shown, which were both found to have with same amount of gripping force with the balance staff, verifying the applicability of the comparative model. - However, referring to the results of the
conventional collet 600 model according to the prior art as shown inFIG. 6(a) andFIG. 6(c) , which is assembled with the balance staff with just 3 points of contact, thecollet 600 suffered from a highly concentrated compressive stress (principle stress 3) of approximately 590MPa at each elasticarm contact region 602 and also a highly concentrated tensile stress (principle stress 1) of approximately 500MPa at theadjacent side 604. - Note, failure occurs at high stress concentrations on the arm adjacent contact regions generally, which results in breakage of a collet. Although silicon has an ultimate tensile strength of approximately 7GPa, it has a high tendency to cleave along crystallographic planes and it is found that a stress of over 300MPa is likely to cause the collet to fracture and fail.
- By comparison, the stress-relieved elastic structure of the collet model of a
collet 610 according to the present invention as shown inFIG 6.(b) andFIG. 6(d) resulted in a substantially lower compressive stress (principle stress 3) of approximately 220MPa at each elasticarm contact region 612 and a tensile stress (principle stress 1) of approximately 200MPa at the adjacent side 614.at the 3 cup contact regions and as such, the design as depicted should be safe having relatively low localised stresses. - As has been demonstrated from the computer simulated comparative models as described above, a collet according to the present invention shows a significant reduction stress (60%-70%) while maintaining sufficient gripping force when mounted with a balance staff, demonstrating a significant improvement over the prior art.
- Further, in order to verify the simulation results above, different silicon hairspring samples have been prepared by micro-fabrication, and a press-fit experiment conducted to assemble these hairsprings with the balance staff.
-
FIG. 7 shows photographic representations of the results the details of the experiment done and also the assembled collets and staffs. - Referring to
FIG. 7(a) , there is shown a sample ofhairsprings 700 including acollet 702 in accordance with the present invention, which are formed from silicon. Thehairsprings 700 are formed by micro-fabrication. -
FIG 7 (b) depicts ahairspring 700 ofFig 7 (a) in accordance with the present invention being assembled with abalance staff 710 and hencebalance wheel 712. After the press-fit, the assembled samples are optically checked and examined by using a coordinate measuring machine (CMM). - Referring to
FIG. 7(c) there is shown a photograph of aconventional collet 720 standard in the art taken utilising CMM. As will be noted, the conventional collet has experienced failure due to a high concentrated stress at thepoint contact regions 722, which cracked immediately. - In comparison with the collet as shown in
FIG. 7(c) , there arecollets FIG. 7(d) andFIG. 7(e) as formed in accordance with the present invention which have been press fitted to abalance staff prior art 720 as shown inFIG. 7(c) , those of thepresent invention balance staff - The experimental results as described with reference to
FIG. 7(c), 7(d) and7(e) demonstrated that the yield rate of fixation of a hairspring to a balance staff for a conventional hairspring of the prior art was 50-60%, in comparison to a yield rate of greater that 90% for the hairsprings having collets according to the present invention. This increase in yield rate is considered a significant advantage over devices of the prior art, providing a hairspring/balance wheel assembly with a significantly lower failure rate during assembly as well as providing more expedited manufacture, - Regarding the stress issue in the hairspring - balance staff assembly process, cautious design is needed such that the collet would have enough contact force (avoid sliding) and with minimized stress.
- One of the effective directions to tackle it is to improve the contact interface between the balance staff and the collet.
- If the hairspring collet has a well-designed contact zone, the press-fit force induced by the balance staff could be shared out evenly over the entire contact zone & also the region nearby, and thus the stress is reduced.
- Besides the contact interface, the design of the structure of the collet is paramount.
- A design according to the present invention will lower the stress efficiently with minimum deformation on the collet, which requires appropriate estimation and calculation on the mechanism of force and deformation.
- Based on those purposes and requirement, the hairspring collet according to the present invention reduces the pressure induced in the hairspring-balance staff assembly process, thus increasing the production yield rate.
- While the present invention has been explained by reference to the examples or preferred embodiments described above, it will be appreciated that those are examples to assist understanding of the present invention and are not meant to be restrictive. Variations or modifications which are obvious or trivial to persons skilled in the art, as well as improvements made thereon, should be considered as equivalents of this invention.
Claims (15)
- A hairspring collet for a hairspring for interference engagement and an interference fit with the cylindrical outer surface of the staff of a balance wheel for a timepiece movement, said hairspring collet portion comprising:a plurality of circumferentially extending elastically deformable interconnected arm portions, the arm portions forming an annulus having a central axis and providing an aperture therebetween, whereineach arm portion including a curved concave engagement portion for engagement with the outer surface of a staff of a balance wheel, wherein each engagement portion has substantially the same radius of curvature as each other and are equally spaced from said central axis at a first distance and wherein said first distance is less than the radius of the staff of the balance wheel;said engagement portions have a radius of curvature such that upon deformation of the arm portions and engagement with the outer surface of said staff the engagement portions substantially conform with the outer surface of said staff and an interference fit is formed therebetween,.wherein stress induced from said interference fit is transferred and distributed from along the engagement portions to the arm portions adjacent the engagement portions and distributed therein; and wherein the interference fit of the engagement portions with the staff substantially prevents relative movement between the hairspring collet and the staff of the balance wheel upon application of load from a hairspring in use in a timepiece movement.
- A hairspring collet according to claim 1, wherein said stress induced from said interference fit is distributed along the engagement portions and transferred to the adjacent arm portions and the size and dimensions of the arm portions and the engagement portions are such that stress distributed within the arm portions is lower that the failure strength of the material from which the collet is formed.
- A hairspring collet according to the claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the collet is formed as a unity construct by said arm portions.
- A hairspring collect according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each elastically deformable interconnected arm portion is of equal arm width in the radial direction.
- A hairspring collet according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hairspring collet is formed from a brittle material including silicon, quartz or the like.
- A hairspring collet according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a temperature compensation layer on the surface of the collet for time compensation due to changes in temperature, and wherein the temperature compensation layer is an addition layer of oxide.
- A hairspring collet according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the collet is formed from micro-fabrication.
- A hairspring and hairspring collet assembly for a timepiece comprising a hairspring and a hairspring collet according to claim 1.
- A hairspring and hairspring collet assembly according to claim 8, wherein the collet is formed as a unity construct by said arm portions.
- A hairspring and hairspring collet assembly according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the hairspring inner coil is attached to the collet adjacent a juncture of two arm portions.
- A hairspring and hairspring collet assembly according to claim 10, wherein the hairspring is formed with the collet as a unitary construct.
- A hairspring and hairspring collet assembly according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the hairspring and hairspring collet is formed from a brittle material including silicon, quartz or the like, and wherein the hairspring and hairspring collet assembly is formed from micro-fabrication.
- A hairspring and hairspring collet assembly according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the hairspring is designed specifically according to specific frequency requisite of a timepiece.
- An engagement structure of a timepiece component for engagement with the cylindrical surface of a further timepiece component; said engagement structure comprising:a plurality of circumferentially extending elastically deformable interconnected arm portions, the arm portions forming an annulus having a central axis and providing an aperture therebetween, whereineach arm portion including a curved concave engagement portion for engagement with the cylindrical surface of a further timepiece component, wherein each engagement portion has substantially the same radius of curvature as each other and are equally spaced from said central axis at a first distance and wherein said first distance is less than the radius of the cylindrical surface;said engagement portions have a radius of curvature such that upon deformation of the arm portions and engagement with the cylindrical surface the engagement portions substantially conform with the outer surface of said cylindrical surface and an interference fit is formed therebetween,wherein stress induced from said interference fit is transferred and distributed along the engagement portions and distributed within the arm portions adjacent the engagement portions; and wherein the interference fit of the engagement portions with the cylindrical surface substantially prevents relative movement between the timepiece component and the further timepiece component in use in a timepiece movement.
- An engagement structure of a timepiece component according to claim 14, wherein the timepiece component is an hour hand, minute hand, and the second hand or the like.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
HK13100579.4A HK1186057A2 (en) | 2013-01-14 | 2013-01-14 | Stress-relief elastic structure of hairspring collet |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2755093A2 true EP2755093A2 (en) | 2014-07-16 |
EP2755093A3 EP2755093A3 (en) | 2015-09-23 |
EP2755093B1 EP2755093B1 (en) | 2017-09-27 |
Family
ID=49943229
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP14151118.8A Active EP2755093B1 (en) | 2013-01-14 | 2014-01-14 | Stress-Relief Elastic Structure of Hairspring Collet |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US8882341B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2755093B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN103926823B (en) |
HK (3) | HK1186057A2 (en) |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2016131377A1 (en) * | 2015-02-17 | 2016-08-25 | Master Dynamic Limited | Silicon hairspring |
EP3176650A1 (en) * | 2015-12-02 | 2017-06-07 | Nivarox-FAR S.A. | Protection of a timepiece component with micro-machinable material |
EP3327514A3 (en) * | 2016-11-29 | 2018-06-06 | Seiko Epson Corporation | Mechanical component, timepiece, manufacturing method of mechanical component, and manufacturing method of timepiece |
EP3401740A1 (en) * | 2017-05-12 | 2018-11-14 | Patek Philippe SA Genève | Flashless timepiece setting component |
EP3627234A1 (en) * | 2018-09-21 | 2020-03-25 | Nivarox-FAR S.A. | Elastic holding member for fixing a timepiece component on a support element |
EP3955064A1 (en) * | 2020-08-12 | 2022-02-16 | Patek Philippe SA Genève | Timepiece component comprising an opening designed for insertion of an axis |
Families Citing this family (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP6301834B2 (en) * | 2011-09-29 | 2018-03-28 | ロレックス・ソシエテ・アノニムRolex Sa | Beard spring / beard ball integrated assembly |
EP2985659B1 (en) * | 2014-03-05 | 2020-04-29 | Nivarox-FAR S.A. | Hairspring intended for being clamped by a spring washer |
EP2952977A1 (en) * | 2014-06-03 | 2015-12-09 | Nivarox-FAR S.A. | Timepiece component made of welded materials |
EP2957963B1 (en) * | 2014-06-18 | 2017-10-25 | ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse | Timepiece wheel |
EP3023844B1 (en) * | 2014-11-20 | 2017-06-28 | Nivarox-FAR S.A. | Flexible ferrule |
EP3309625B1 (en) * | 2016-10-13 | 2020-07-29 | Nivarox-FAR S.A. | Hairspring intended for being attached by a spring washer |
JP6789140B2 (en) * | 2017-01-31 | 2020-11-25 | セイコーインスツル株式会社 | Temperature-compensated balance, movement and watch |
EP3627238A1 (en) | 2018-09-21 | 2020-03-25 | Nivarox-FAR S.A. | Elastic holding member for fixing a timepiece component on a support element |
EP3779608A1 (en) * | 2019-08-16 | 2021-02-17 | Nivarox-FAR S.A. | Elastic holding member for a timepiece component on a support element |
EP3839656B1 (en) * | 2019-12-18 | 2023-12-13 | Nivarox-FAR S.A. | Horological balance |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7758237B2 (en) | 2006-05-17 | 2010-07-20 | Patek Philippe Sa Geneve | Spiral/collet assembly for a horological movement |
US7926355B2 (en) | 2008-04-21 | 2011-04-19 | Rolex S.A. | Micromechanical part with an opening for fastening to a spindle |
Family Cites Families (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CH853969A4 (en) * | 1969-06-05 | 1970-08-31 | ||
CN2221227Y (en) * | 1994-12-23 | 1996-02-28 | 山东聊城手表厂 | Quick swing mechanism second clock |
US6863435B2 (en) * | 1997-08-11 | 2005-03-08 | Seiko Epson Corporation | Spring, mainspring, hairspring, and driving mechanism and timepiece based thereon |
DE60333076D1 (en) * | 2003-04-29 | 2010-08-05 | Patek Philippe Sa | Balance and surface spiral spring regulator for movement |
CH698935B1 (en) * | 2004-04-06 | 2009-12-15 | Nivarox Sa | Collet for mounting balance spring of mechanical watch movement, has continuous metal band with inner contour delimiting recesses and forming collet, where band has variable width in plane perpendicular to balancing staff |
EP1584994B1 (en) * | 2004-04-06 | 2009-01-21 | Nivarox-FAR S.A. | Collet without deformation of the spiral fixing radius and fabrication method of such a collet |
EP1868045B1 (en) * | 2006-06-12 | 2019-02-20 | Patek Philippe SA Genève | Horological collet |
EP2104006B1 (en) * | 2008-03-20 | 2010-07-14 | Nivarox-FAR S.A. | Single-body double spiral and method for manufacturing same |
EP2151722B8 (en) * | 2008-07-29 | 2021-03-31 | Rolex Sa | Hairspring for balance-spring resonator |
JP5462006B2 (en) * | 2009-02-17 | 2014-04-02 | セイコーインスツル株式会社 | Escape governor, mechanical timepiece, and method of manufacturing ankle body |
CH701783B1 (en) | 2009-09-07 | 2015-01-30 | Manuf Et Fabrique De Montres Et Chronomètres Ulysse Nardin Le Locle S A | spiral spring watch movement. |
FR2957688B1 (en) | 2010-03-22 | 2013-01-18 | Philippe Rhul | SPIRAL-VIROLE ASSEMBLY FOR A WATCHING MOVEMENT, WATCH THUS EQUIPPED, AND SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME |
EP2397919B1 (en) | 2010-06-21 | 2017-11-08 | Montres Breguet SA | Manufacturing method for a hairspring assembly of a timepiece made of micro-machinable material or silicon |
US8690420B2 (en) * | 2011-03-22 | 2014-04-08 | Lvmh Swiss Manufactures Sa | Mechanical watch movement |
EP2613206B1 (en) * | 2012-01-05 | 2022-05-11 | Montres Breguet SA | Hairspring with two spiral springs with improved isochronism |
-
2013
- 2013-01-14 HK HK13100579.4A patent/HK1186057A2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
2014
- 2014-01-13 US US14/154,055 patent/US8882341B2/en active Active
- 2014-01-14 EP EP14151118.8A patent/EP2755093B1/en active Active
- 2014-01-14 CN CN201410015577.XA patent/CN103926823B/en active Active
- 2014-11-24 HK HK14111857A patent/HK1198374A1/en unknown
- 2014-11-24 HK HK14111858A patent/HK1198375A1/en unknown
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7758237B2 (en) | 2006-05-17 | 2010-07-20 | Patek Philippe Sa Geneve | Spiral/collet assembly for a horological movement |
US7926355B2 (en) | 2008-04-21 | 2011-04-19 | Rolex S.A. | Micromechanical part with an opening for fastening to a spindle |
Cited By (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2016131377A1 (en) * | 2015-02-17 | 2016-08-25 | Master Dynamic Limited | Silicon hairspring |
US9903049B2 (en) | 2015-02-17 | 2018-02-27 | Master Dynamic Limited | Silicon hairspring |
EP3176650A1 (en) * | 2015-12-02 | 2017-06-07 | Nivarox-FAR S.A. | Protection of a timepiece component with micro-machinable material |
US10496038B2 (en) | 2015-12-02 | 2019-12-03 | Nivarox-Far S.A. | Protection of a timepiece component made of micromachinable material |
EP3327514A3 (en) * | 2016-11-29 | 2018-06-06 | Seiko Epson Corporation | Mechanical component, timepiece, manufacturing method of mechanical component, and manufacturing method of timepiece |
EP3401740A1 (en) * | 2017-05-12 | 2018-11-14 | Patek Philippe SA Genève | Flashless timepiece setting component |
EP3627234A1 (en) * | 2018-09-21 | 2020-03-25 | Nivarox-FAR S.A. | Elastic holding member for fixing a timepiece component on a support element |
WO2020057944A1 (en) * | 2018-09-21 | 2020-03-26 | Nivarox-Far S.A. | Elastic retaining member for attaching a timepiece component to a support element |
US11921461B2 (en) | 2018-09-21 | 2024-03-05 | Nivarox—FAR S.A. | Elastic retaining member for fixing a timepiece component on a support element |
EP3955064A1 (en) * | 2020-08-12 | 2022-02-16 | Patek Philippe SA Genève | Timepiece component comprising an opening designed for insertion of an axis |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN103926823B (en) | 2017-11-10 |
EP2755093B1 (en) | 2017-09-27 |
US8882341B2 (en) | 2014-11-11 |
HK1198375A1 (en) | 2015-04-10 |
US20140198627A1 (en) | 2014-07-17 |
EP2755093A3 (en) | 2015-09-23 |
HK1198374A1 (en) | 2015-04-10 |
HK1186057A2 (en) | 2014-03-07 |
CN103926823A (en) | 2014-07-16 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP2755093B1 (en) | Stress-Relief Elastic Structure of Hairspring Collet | |
JP5753252B2 (en) | A notched beard ball with a non-circular opening | |
US9632329B2 (en) | Method of manufacturing a metal frame for spectacles and frame manufactured by that method | |
TWI606319B (en) | Assembly system and timepiece including the same | |
US9128463B2 (en) | Assembly of a part that has no plastic domain | |
US8707536B2 (en) | Assembly of a part that has no plastic domain | |
JP5330493B2 (en) | How to assemble parts that do not have a plastic region | |
US8622611B2 (en) | One-piece hairspring and method of manufacturing the same | |
US11934149B2 (en) | Device for timepiece, timepiece movement and timepiece comprising such a device | |
US20120090933A1 (en) | Assembly of a part that has no plastic domain | |
US20180284698A1 (en) | Guide bearing for a timepiece balance pivot | |
JP6078156B2 (en) | Time-control member of watch | |
JP2009265097A (en) | Micromechanical part having opening for fastening to spindle | |
US9891587B2 (en) | Composite component with stressed resilient means | |
JP6416847B2 (en) | Protection of micromachined material watch parts | |
TW201708989A (en) | Timepiece component with a part having an improved welding surface | |
KR101787838B1 (en) | Flexible collet | |
US7905592B2 (en) | Rimless eyeglasses | |
RU2757562C2 (en) | Thoric ophthalmic lens | |
CN112638156B (en) | Fishing rod with multiple rod bodies connected | |
Langenbucher et al. | Anisometropia and aniseikonia--unsolved problems of cataract surgery | |
KR20210134367A (en) | Resilient retaining members for securing the timepiece component to different support elements | |
Gerhard et al. | Biometric modification of the eyeball in chorioretinal surgery by Lincoff's indentation method |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20140114 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A2 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: BA ME |
|
PUAL | Search report despatched |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A3 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: BA ME |
|
RIC1 | Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant |
Ipc: G04B 17/34 20060101AFI20150817BHEP |
|
R17P | Request for examination filed (corrected) |
Effective date: 20160323 |
|
RBV | Designated contracting states (corrected) |
Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 20160614 |
|
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
INTG | Intention to grant announced |
Effective date: 20170424 |
|
GRAS | Grant fee paid |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: EP |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: REF Ref document number: 932517 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20171015 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R096 Ref document number: 602014014951 Country of ref document: DE |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: NV Representative=s name: BUGNION S.A., CH |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 5 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20170927 Ref country code: FI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20170927 Ref country code: NO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20171227 Ref country code: LT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20170927 Ref country code: HR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20170927 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: NL Ref legal event code: MP Effective date: 20170927 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: LT Ref legal event code: MG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: MK05 Ref document number: 932517 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20170927 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20171228 Ref country code: LV Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20170927 Ref country code: RS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20170927 Ref country code: BG Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20171227 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: NL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20170927 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: ES Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20170927 Ref country code: CZ Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20170927 Ref country code: RO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20170927 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: HK Ref legal event code: GR Ref document number: 1198375 Country of ref document: HK |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20180127 Ref country code: IT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20170927 Ref country code: AT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20170927 Ref country code: SK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20170927 Ref country code: SM Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20170927 Ref country code: EE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20170927 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R097 Ref document number: 602014014951 Country of ref document: DE |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20170927 |
|
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: PL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20170927 |
|
26N | No opposition filed |
Effective date: 20180628 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20180114 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: MM4A |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: BE Ref legal event code: MM Effective date: 20180131 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: BE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20180131 Ref country code: SI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20170927 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20180114 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: MC Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20170927 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: MT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20180114 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: TR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20170927 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: HU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO Effective date: 20140114 Ref country code: PT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20170927 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: MK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20170927 Ref country code: CY Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20170927 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: AL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20170927 |
|
P01 | Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered |
Effective date: 20230526 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20240117 Year of fee payment: 11 Ref country code: GB Payment date: 20240119 Year of fee payment: 11 Ref country code: CH Payment date: 20240202 Year of fee payment: 11 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Payment date: 20240122 Year of fee payment: 11 |